MILWAUKEE — A troublesome month spelled the end of Josh Fleming’s tenure on the 40-man roster.
The Pirates left-hander was designated for assignment Tuesday afternoon, clearing space on the club’s active roster for right-hander Ryder Ryan, who was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. Fleming, 27, pitched to a 5.68 ERA in 17 games with the Pirates after spending the last four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays.
After making the team out of spring training, Fleming got off to a fantastic start with the Pirates. Prior to his last appearance in April, Fleming possessed a 1.29 ERA and was one of manager Derek Shelton’s most used relievers.
But from April 30 onward, Fleming gave up 10 earned runs in five innings. His most trying outing was Monday night against the Brewers, giving up a grand slam and five earned in one-plus innings.
Because the Pirates are currently operating with a six-man rotation, having fresh bullpen arms has become essential.
“We need the innings,” Shelton said. “So it’s one of those things where Josh became the odd man out.”
Ryan, 29, fared well in his previous two stints with the Pirates. He made the team out of camp and pitched to a 3.00 ERA in nine games. With Indianapolis, Ryan produced a 3.86 ERA in five relief appearances, including a scoreless one on Sunday night.
“It’s awesome being back here with the big guys,” Ryan said. “Just want to win and keep winning with this team. I’m glad to be back here, for sure.”
Ryan, who had only one MLB inning to his name prior to the 2024 campaign, understands it’s part of the business to be shuffled back and forth between Triple-A and MLB. He credited his family for helping him stay focused and keep with his routine.
As for what Ryan can provide the Pirates, it will ultimately come down to how effective his sinker will be. Shelton commended Ryan for being able to generate ground balls with the pitch, doing so 40% of the time against MLB hitters this season.
Ryan may also be asked to retire left-handed hitters, who have posted a .250 batting average against him this year. Without Fleming, the Pirates are down to Aroldis Chapman as their sole southpaw reliever, and the Brewers’ lineup on Tuesday featured five left-handed hitters.
Not to mention, Ryan would like to alleviate the burden on a bullpen that, including himself, features seven relievers.
“I want to go as long as I can,” Ryan said. “I want to help this team win and help the bullpen out.
“I know we’re running a six-man [rotation], but we can still do it. We have the arms do it, so I know we can get through it.”
Mlodzinski coming up
Further reinforcements are on the way soon. Sources told the Post-Gazette on Tuesday evening that right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will join the Pirates prior to Wednesday’s game against the Brewers.
Mlodzinski, 25, went 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 32 MLB games last season. He started the 2024 campaign on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation and spent the first two months of the season with Indianapolis.
In Triple-A this year, the former No. 31 overall pick pitched to a 6.60 ERA.
One-two punch
Shelton announced that right-handers Jared Jones and Paul Skenes will start Thursday and Friday, respectively, against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. It keeps the rookies on regular rest, as Jones pitched last Friday and Skenes made his MLB debut on Saturday.
While the Brewers were able to bypass the Pirates’ top two young pitchers this series, it means the Cubs will again see Jones and Skenes. The duo combined to give up five earned runs in 10 innings last week against Chicago.
Domingo’s debut
Right-hander Domingo German was added to Low-A Bradenton’s roster Tuesday evening to start and make his season debut. German, 31, signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on March 15 and has yet to pitch competitively in the organization.
The long-time Yankees hurler had a tumultuous end to his time in New York, throwing the 24th perfect game in MLB history before being placed on the restricted list and later removed from the 40-man roster. In 112 career MLB games, German went 31-28 with a 4.41 ERA.
Andrew Destin: adestin@post-gazette.com and @AndrewDestin1 on X
First Published: May 14, 2024, 11:19 p.m.
Updated: May 15, 2024, 2:13 a.m.
